Many believe that bad habits are hard to break and good habits are just as hard to develop. It’s fair to say that most adults who have made the transition from an unhealthy lifestyle to a healthy way of living have not done so in a linear fashion.

The process of making physical activity a consistent part of one’s daily routine often comes in fits and starts. Many get started on an exercise routine and find that it fizzles. Why is this? Are we bored? Discouraged by what seems like a lack of progress? A little bit lonely because we are taking the challenge on by ourselves? Are we struggling to keep the time for exercise carved out from our daily routines? For a lot of would-be physically fit folks, the answer is yes, yes, yes and yes!

For anyone who needs a jump start and encouragement to keep the momentum, there are some great tools available with Go4Life.

Go4Life, an exercise and physical activity campaign from the National Institute on Aging at NIH, is designed to help you fit exercise and physical activity into your daily life.

The goal of the campaign is to encourage adults to develop their own individualized plans to be active every day. With a variety of helpful, FREE resources, Go4Life provides a framework for how to:

• get started

• select the best plan for you

• measure your success

• stay motivated

Most people tend to focus on one activity or type of exercise and think they’re doing enough. Go4Life emphasizes the importance of being creative and ensuring that all four types of exercise— endurance, strength, balance and flexibility—are incorporated into your routine. This keeps boredom at bay and is a good way to make sure that you are increasing your chances of being healthier on all fronts.

The goal doesn’t have to be climbing mountains or running marathons, although these are certainly worth pursuing if you are so inclined. After years of leading a sedentary lifestyle, it’s easy to forget how good it feels to be able to do some of the very basic things that most of us are able to do when we are younger or more physically fit.

Isn’t it wonderful to think about being able to cut a rug on the dance floor at a family wedding? Or give your grandchildren a run for their money on your next trip to the park? Walk your pets? Get back on that bike? Do your own yard work?

If these things sound appealing to you, give some thought to getting started with Go4Life. The resources are free, so you have nothing to lose!

Just visit the Go4Life website, and download what you think can work for you. The resources include just about anything you need to get started: tip sheets, inspiring success stories, a DVD, audio book, exercise guide, even access to a virtual trainer!

There is also another way to learn more about Go4Life fitness strategies. These tips are part of the OASIS Healthy Habits for Adults classes, which also provide helpful information on eating healthier. Contact your local OASIS to find out more about a class near you.